Wayne Meyers is the winningest coach in Higgins football history. (Photo courtesy of Wayne Meyers)

Wayne Meyers, the most successful coach in the 32-year history of Higgins football, has resigned from his coaching position.

Meyers, 49, officially submitted his written resignation as coach on Thursday following a Monday meeting with Principal David Lewis in which Lewis asked Meyers to resign.

Meyers tearfully informed his players of his decision following Friday night’s 36-27 loss at Chalmette that culminated a 2-8 season and marked the second consecutive year in which the Hurricanes did not advance to the state playoffs.

“I was asked to resign by my principal and I resigned,’’ Meyers said Saturday. “I don’t know the reason. He said he wanted someone long term.’’

Meyers compiled a 112-76 record in 18 seasons as Higgins coach during which time the Hurricanes won five district championships and advanced to the state playoffs 11 times during his final 14 seasons.

Meyers directed the Hurricanes to 11 winning seasons that included two advances to the state quarterfinals in 2008 and 2003 and seven regional playoff appearances.

“I thought we always ran a respectable program,’’ Meyers said. “We never had any troubles. We ran a first class progam.’’

The Hurricanes only had four losing seasons under Meyers with those coming in his first and final two seasons. Higgins was 2-8 and 3-5 the past two seasons while not qualifying for the state playoffs.

Higgins’ 10 victories in 2010 is another school record set during Meyers’ watch. That 10-2 team also won the last of Meyers’ five district championships.

“Our kids were age 3 and 4 when I started coaching at Higgins and now they’re 21 and 22,’’ Meyers said nostalgically. “I’ve coached a lot of good players and good people.’’

Informing the players “was hard for me,’’ Meyers said.

Meyers said he is uncertain whether he is done coaching and presently has made no decision as to his coaching future.

With 27 years as a coach and teacher, Meyers said he is scheduled to continue teaching at Higgins through the current school year unless an opening becomes available elsewhere in the Jefferson Parish Public Schools System.

“Wayne is a legend at Higgins,’’ Lewis said. “He started the program on the path to where it is today. It was my decision that we needed to go in a different direction.

“Wayne has done a phenomenal job. I have nothing but the utmost respect for Wayne. But as principal I decided that we needed to go in a different direction.

“I felt bad. Being a former coach, it was one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever had to make. But it was a decision that I thought we had to make. I consider Wayne a friend and wish him nothing but the best. Hopefully he feels the same way about me.’’

Lewis said applications are being accepted for the position through the Jefferson Parish Public Schools System and the school will go through a standard hiring process of identifying and interviewing interested individuals.

Meyers and the Hurricanes absorbed several personnel hits during the past two seasons involving players and coaches, with Meyers’ brother Stephen resigning as defensive coordinator following the 2011 season to take a similar position at Belle Chasse.

The Hurricanes also had three of their top players transfer to other schools during the past two school years, the most notable being running back Darrel Williams, who has played the past two seasons at Ehret.

Williams has rushed for 2,026 yards and 27 touchdowns this season while leading the Patriots to an 8-2 record and the District 8-5A championship. Williams rushed for 293 yards and seven touchdowns in a 61-28 victory against West Jefferson that secured the 8-5A championship for Ehret.

A second notable transfer came this year with Theron Williams joining his cousin Darrel at Ehret. Theron Williams was Ehret’s starting quarterback and a 1,000-yard rusher.

Veteran Offensive Coordinator Mark Schroeder recently announced his retirement as a coach and teacher effective at the end of the current school year.

“We had a very good staff, a loyal staff. That’s why we were so successful,’’ Meyers said while citing the support of his wife Shayne as another significant factor in his coaching run at Higgins.

“I have a great wife (Shayne),’’ Meyers said. “She never asked me about football or made me talk about it if I didn’t want to. That was big.’’

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Mike Strom can be reached at Mstrom@nola.comor 504.826.3405. Follow him at twitter.com/TheMikeStrom.